A New Coronary Retroinfusion Technique in theRat Infarct Model: Transjugular Cardiac Vein Catheterization

Cell delivery via the retrograde coronary route boasts less vessel embolism, myocardialinjury, and arrhythmogenicity when compared with those via antegrade coronaryadministration or myocardial injection. However, conventional insertion into the coronarysinus and consequent bleeding complication prevent its application in small animals. Toovercome the complication of bleeding, we described a modified coronary retroinfusiontechnique via the jugular vein route in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). A flexiblewire with a bent end was inserted into the left internal jugular vein and advanced slowlyalong the left superior vena cava. Under direct vision, the wire was run into the leftcardiac vein by rotating the wire and changing the position of its tip. A fine tube wasthen advanced along the wire to the left cardiac vein. This modified technique showed lesslethal hemorrhage than the conventional technique. Retroinfusion via transjugular catheterenabled efficient fluid or cell dissemination to the majority areas of the free wall ofthe left ventricle, covering the infarcted anterior wall. In conclusion, transjugularcardiac vein catheterization may make retrocoronary infusion a more safe and practicalroute for delivering cell, drug, and gene therapy into the infarcted myocardium ofrats.